This is my boy Val (short for Valentino, or Prince Valient, depending on who you ask). He is a Bernese Mountain Dog, kin to the St. Bernard, and bred for hauling dairy products for lazy Swiss farmers. Berners, as they are known to their friends, are large, furry, friendly, and fabulous. Val was born on December 26, 1998, and currently weighs in at about 110 pounds. He is tall enough to comfortably rest his chin on the dining room table and spoiled enough to do so without hesitation. If you call me and I don't answer, there's a good chance we've gone for a walk.

If you're a dog lover, you may be interested in some of the links below.